Christmas is returning to Cuba

New York, Dec 2 - The Communist Party has recommended that Dec.
25 be reinstated as a national holiday, the Washington Post said.

It banned the holiday in 1969, claiming that Cuba's enemies had
manipulated religious believers and that the day off interfered
with the sugar harvest.

Party leader Fidel Castro is expected to accept the recommendation
next week.

The party announced its position Dec. 1 on the front page of its
official newspaper, Granma.

It said it wants to establish a stronger relationship with the
Vatican, citing issues including Third World debt, poverty, and
social inequality.

It hopes to participate in "the broad possibilities of cooperation
that are opening up to all people of good faith, regardless of any
political, ideological, or religious differences, to work
together for the good of humanity," a statement said.

The announcement shows the government is warming up to the
Church, some say.

"The government is listening to the Church," Rolando Suarez of Cuban
Catholic Relief Services said.

The Church has been granted greater freedoms since Pope John Paul II
visited in January, including the use of state radio and TV channels
for religious broadcasts and permission to hold open-air Masses.